NameCensus.

UK surname

Garfoot

A surname derived from a nickname for someone with large or misshapen feet.

In the 1881 census there were 107 people recorded with the Garfoot surname, ranking it #18,982 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 407, ranked #11,735, up from #18,982 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Greetham and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Kesteven, North Lincolnshire and North West Leicestershire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Garfoot is 438 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 280.4%.

1881 census count

107

Ranked #18,982

Modern count

407

2016, ranked #11,735

Peak year

2010

438 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Garfoot had 107 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,982 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 407 in 2016, ranked #11,735.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 179 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Garfoot surname distribution map

The map shows where the Garfoot surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Garfoot surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Garfoot over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 56 #23,235
1861 historical 71 #24,765
1881 historical 107 #18,982
1891 historical 114 #22,006
1901 historical 163 #17,205
1911 historical 179 #16,023
1997 modern 361 #11,892
1998 modern 382 #11,779
1999 modern 401 #11,422
2000 modern 397 #11,463
2001 modern 390 #11,420
2002 modern 396 #11,523
2003 modern 397 #11,316
2004 modern 380 #11,717
2005 modern 376 #11,730
2006 modern 389 #11,476
2007 modern 396 #11,459
2008 modern 405 #11,351
2009 modern 414 #11,407
2010 modern 438 #11,140
2011 modern 429 #11,197
2012 modern 412 #11,479
2013 modern 417 #11,556
2014 modern 418 #11,614
2015 modern 406 #11,781
2016 modern 407 #11,735

Geography

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Where Garfoots are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Greetham, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Bourn and Auckland St Andrew. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Kesteven, North Lincolnshire, North West Leicestershire, Nottingham and North Kesteven. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Greetham Rutland
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 Bourn Lincolnshire
5 Auckland St Andrew Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Kesteven 007 South Kesteven
2 North Lincolnshire 001 North Lincolnshire
3 North West Leicestershire 009 North West Leicestershire
4 Nottingham 006 Nottingham
5 North Kesteven 011 North Kesteven

Forenames

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First names often paired with Garfoot

These lists show first names that appear often with the Garfoot surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Garfoot

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Garfoot, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Garfoot surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Garfoot household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Garfoot is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Garfoot is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Garfoot falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Garfoot is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Garfoot, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Garfoot

The surname Garfoot is thought to have originated in England, with its roots traced back to the Middle English period. It is believed to be a locational surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone who lived near a ford or crossing in an area known as "Gar."

One of the earliest records of the name Garfoot can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire from 1327, where a John Garfot is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

During the 14th century, the name appears in various historical documents, such as the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, which reference a Thomas Garfote. This suggests that the surname was well-established in different regions of England by this time.

In the 15th century, the name Garfoot is recorded in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1428, where a William Garfote is listed. This variation in spelling further illustrates the fluidity of surnames during this period.

One notable individual bearing the surname Garfoot was Robert Garfoot, born in 1588 in Lincolnshire, England. He was a renowned scholar and mathematician who authored several works on arithmetic and navigation.

Another prominent figure was Sir John Garfoot, born in 1675 in Somersetshire. He served as a member of parliament and was actively involved in local politics during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

In the 18th century, the name Garfoot is found in various parish records across England. For instance, the baptismal records of St. Mary's Church in Lancashire mention a family by the name of Garfoot in 1732.

Moving into the 19th century, the 1841 census of England and Wales lists several Garfoot families, indicating the continued presence of this surname across the country.

One noteworthy individual from this era was William Garfoot, born in 1805 in Lincolnshire. He was a renowned architect and designed several churches and public buildings in the region.

As the centuries passed, the Garfoot surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, writers, and professionals, contributing to the rich tapestry of English history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Garfoot families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Garfoot surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Rutland leads with 34 Garfoots recorded in 1881 and an index of 443.86x.

County Total Index
Rutland 34 443.86x
Lincolnshire 21 12.59x
Durham 17 5.48x
Nottinghamshire 15 10.66x
Middlesex 9 0.86x
Leicestershire 7 6.05x
Gloucestershire 2 0.98x
Hampshire 1 0.47x
Northamptonshire 1 1.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Greetham in Rutland leads with 17 Garfoots recorded in 1881 and an index of 8095.24x.

Place Total Index
Greetham 17 8095.24x
Burley 9 8181.82x
Brancepeth 8 1428.57x
North Muskham 7 3684.21x
Nottingham St Nicholas 7 364.58x
Butterwick 6 3157.89x
Skillington 6 4285.71x
Cottesmore 5 3333.33x
Coundon 5 396.83x
Pointon 5 3125.00x
Brandon Byshottles 4 102.83x
St Pancras London 4 4.76x
Bow London 3 22.59x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 29.33x
Ibstock 2 238.10x
Islington London 2 1.98x
Oakham Deanshold 2 588.24x
South Croxton 2 2222.22x
Stamford St George 2 266.67x
Bainton 1 1666.67x
Burton Joyce 1 416.67x
Market Bosworth 1 238.10x
Oakham Lordshold 1 125.00x
Spittlegate 1 43.29x
Swayfield 1 1111.11x
Waltham On The Wolds 1 476.19x
Whitwick 1 68.03x
Wymering 1 285.71x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Garfoot surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Garfoot surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

FAQ

Garfoot surname: questions and answers

How common was the Garfoot surname in 1881?

In 1881, 107 people were recorded with the Garfoot surname. That placed it at #18,982 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Garfoot surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 407 in 2016. That gives Garfoot a modern rank of #11,735.

What does the Garfoot surname mean?

A surname derived from a nickname for someone with large or misshapen feet.

What does the Garfoot map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Garfoot bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.